3 Q U E S T I O N S

February 19, 2017

Ever since I was young and discovered the power of my own full-time wage, I was buying everything and anything. Weekends consisted of buying new things I didn’t need to fit in my already overflowing wardrobe. Supre fluoro slogan tee? yes please! Two for $20 deals? Sign me up!

But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that it’s better to create a quality staple wardrobe. See my post about my staple wardrobe here. So to help me create and keep my perfect wardrobe, I ask myself 3 questions with every item I consider buying:

1. What is it made of?Fibres such as cotton, silk and linen breath better2. What can I wear it with?Will it go with my fave jeans, skirt, pants? Can I wear it under my leather jacket?3. Do I already have something similar to it?Do I need a 5th white tee?

These questions (along with the cost per wear equation**) helped me to create a wardrobe that I love!

**4. Does the cost per wear balance out?This is only a question for big purchases (such as my Gucci’s) If I am paying $$$$ for it will I wear it enough to make each wear cost less and less?E.g: $100 silk shirt worn only twice means that you haven’t gotten a positive cost per a wear. This means you should re-evaluate the things you need in your wardrobe**

I also edited out the colours I never wore. Black, white and grey became my most worn colours, I felt comfortable in them and creating outfits is much easier as everything matches!

To keep my wardrobe from over filling, I clean it out every few months or so. To do this I turn all my hangers the opposite way and then when I place an item back after wearing it, I turn the hanger the right way. After my designated time period, whatever hangers are left facing the wrong way are the ones I re-evaluate and decide if they are to stay or go

You don’t need to spend big on every single item to create a quality wardrobe, some of my most worn pieces have been purchased from the markets, op shops, garage sales or on sale. You just need to take into consideration the above 3 questions and shop smarter.

Tips to create a quality “you” wardrobe:

+ Create a mood board on Pinterest or a physical one if you like. Pin images of anything that inspires you (it doesn’t have to be clothing)
+ Cull your wardrobe. Take out things you don’t wear, donate them or organise a market stall. Be brutal, you aren’t going to wear that mini skirt from 4 years ago.
+ Identify the staple items you need in your wardrobe. (see my post here and I found this one helpful)
+ Make a shopping list for yourself. Try to include quality basics, and items you will wear often. Stick to a basic colour palette. I find this one here is useful.

Creating a quality staple wardrobe will take time and experience. It doesn’t mean you can’t wear the latest trend. Just be more careful with it. Ask yourself if really suits you? Can you borrow it from a friend for an event? Maybe buy a similar item from the op shop/market?

By creating a quality staple wardrobe really helps you to define your style, save money and most importantly – get dressed faster!

Let me know in the comments below if you have started or are interested in a Minimalist lifestyle!

I can so relate to being younger and shopping at Supre and having the same mentality with clothes . I think as I’ve gotten older to I’ve gotten a bit smarter with shopping by I think I could definitely improve further, definitely bookmarking this post and coming back to it when I’m settled in my new place and can reassess my wardrobe!